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Thanks to the Nephews (and Nieces) from Auntie

Editor's Note: In celebration of Thanksgiving, we asked our Experts to contribute a "Thank you" on behalf of a family member. We are all part of the Family Village, and taking a moment to appreciate each other is what this holiday is all about.

Dear Jack And Cole: Don’t Hit Your Brother, No, You’re Not Getting Another Sticker And Yes, I Love You More Than A Trillion Cookies....

“In the race to be better or best do not miss the joy of being.” Lucky # 7, 11, 23 , 28, 31

It used to be “Keeping up with the Joneses” and is it just me, or do the Joneses feel a bit tired, slow, boring and not at all that fabulous these days? Today, it’s more about keeping up with Twitter, Facebook, emails and text messages. And truthfully, I’m exhausted. It’s a constant rushing by of actions and the chase to soak up every morsel of information, to get, be and stay relevant . It’s the greatest growing requirement of society today. I wonder when we die and go to wherever we all go, will we have forgotten to click on gratitude?

I was trying to think of the last time I was in the moment, I mean purely in the moment “unplugged” and I realized it’s when I am graced with the spirits of my two little sparklers, my nephews Jack and Cole. They are two of the biggest reasons to be grateful.

I love when I hear my sister’s car pull into the driveway the switch flips and the energy instantly changes.

I adore hearing their little voices, giggling as they pile out of the car like little eager puppies.

I love how they rush up to the screen door and stand there mischievously peeking in with smiles as big as the side of the world.

I cherish the way they wait for my reaction of joy and my big welcome, before stepping on their tippy toes to reach the door handle and let themselves in.

I marvel how they make the room turn yellow and orange upon arrival.

I appreciate knowing my attention is required and I am awake, present and available.

I love the chaos these two toddlers can bring to my very orderly (okay I’m exaggerating, kind of orderly) space-- they roll in and it’s as though everything is on the verge of being tossed like a salad, at any given moment.

I love the uncertainty of their presence, the possibility of what might be, the new words they will say or share or a moment at school they describe in a new-found full sentence using proper tense and everything.

I adore when Cole walks into the kitchen specifically points to this particular photo of Kris and me and says out loud “Kris” and then “Stacie” every time he is here and has the same expression of utter joy and huge smile when he does it.

I love how Jack leaves a room full of people and independently goes into the other room to talk to himself for a bit, has uber creative solo play and comes back when he’s ready to party with us.

I love how they think of coming over to our house like vacation, and how their eyes dance– as if to say, What’s going to happen here today! Who’s coming over? What are we going to eat? Can Princess play outside? Are we going to the beach? Are we bringing the surfboards and boogie boards too? Do we get to play in the bungalow? Do we get a present? Are we playing fingerboard skateboard ramp?

I love all the questions that don’t require an actual answer; they’re just a part of the possible moments that lie ahead.

I cherish perfect summer days on the beach with the whole tribe, my sister, brother-in-law, my BFFs (the other extended other aunties and uncles) and some perfect surf.

I love when Kris takes my sister out for a session, while Uncle Ian and I convince Cole he can totally stand up on the long board and his whole face lights up when he does.

I love Jack finding the courage to submerge his head under water with Aunty Moniqua on watch and running up to me saying “watch me, watch me.”

I love how no matter how many times I tell Jack to stop rolling in the sand he keeps doing it and comes running over to me in a group of eight adults (including his parents) to make it better.

I love the delicious dinner and bbq we just had-- mommy is doing the dishes, daddy is watching the Dodgers in the den and Kris and I are hanging in the bedroom relaxing watching TV and minutes later in walks Cole, the bed so high we can barely see the top of his little head. Cole can’t reach the bed, so he rock climbs his way up to the top to snuggle in between us, not requiring any attention or conversation just being right there next to us, little finger skateboard in hand, delicious and quiet and perfect.

I love how Jack bursts into the room knowing he’s missing out on something and charges the bed, shoving Cole over (and getting reprimanded not to push his brother) to also snuggle in between his aunty and uncle. A smushy pile of love in one king sized bed.

I love that when I slow to the pace of being with my nephews, I am awake to the smells, the touches and the current moment when gratitude happens.

*For the record no Facebook updates or tweets were made during any of the above grateful moments.

Want to show gratitude to your nieces and nephews? Sign in and add yours to the Comments section below.

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i love that when i went to pick up my nephew at college for this thanksgiving break, and his uncle was there as a surprise, he rubbed my shoulder and said (in his cute voice) "hi sue", while still talking to his out of town in town for a business meeting uncle. our closeness is 100% authentic. i love the way being around him makes me come alive too, the way stacie explained it. it's like a part of me that needs that connection. it is about being current and that being current sustains you to the next connection.